The largest of the five recalls covers 134,947 2014 model-year Flex SUVs and F-150 trucks. These vehicles may have a passenger seat-sensing problem that could prevent the passenger air bag from deploying properly in certain frontal crashes.

Ford added, however, it isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries linked to the problem.

This recall includes Flex SUVs built at Oakville Assembly during March 1-May 31 of this year, F-150 trucks built at Dearborn Truck during March 1-May 31 of this year, F-150 trucks built at Kansas City Assembly during March 1-May 31 of this year, and 2009-2014 F-150 trucks serviced with a suspect seat track assembly during Feb. 17-Oct. 31 of this year.

Ford said it is aware of 113,418 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories, along with 19,975 in Canada and 1,554 in Mexico.

Dealers will widen the gap between the manual seat frame and seat track assembly, and then calibrate the seat occupant classification system to fix the problem. There will be no cost to the customer.

A second recall covers 27,597 2014 model-year Ford Transit Connect vans that might have faulty fuel and vapor line routing. If the lines are routed incorrectly, they may rub together and eventually, over time, cause a leak in the fuel line. This condition poses a fire risk in the presence of an ignition source.

Ford said it is unaware of any related accidents, injuries or fires.

This recall affects Transit Connect vans with a 2.5-liter engine built at Valencia Assembly from Aug. 1, 2013, to July 10 of this year. A total of 25,238 of these vehicles are in the U.S. and federalized territories. Approximately 2,359 are in Canada, Ford said.

Last year, commercial fleets added 19,876 Transit Connect vans to their ranks. Government fleets acquired 1,482 of the vehicles.

A third recall affects 960 2014-MY F-150 trucks that may have a brake pedal position switch that’s been incorrectly adjusted. This may result in a delay or non-illumination of the brake lights when the brake pedal is depressed, Ford said.

Since drivers may need to use additional brake pressure to disengage the cruise control system, Ford is advising customers not to use cruise control until the repair is made. The cruise control system “off” switch on the steering wheel will disengage the system.

Ford said it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the condition.

This recall includes trucks built at Dearborn Truck during March 1-13 and trucks built at Kansas City Assembly during March 3-13 of this year.

Ford noted it is aware of 618 vehicles in the U.S. and federalized territories, 338 in Canada and four in Mexico.

Dealers will remove and reinstall the brake pedal position switch at no cost to the customer.

A fourth recall affects 92 2015-MY Ford Transit vans that may have a faulty bracket holding the fuel filter to the frame. If the bracket becomes detached over time, the driver may start hearing a knocking sound and the engine may stall because of fuel starvation, Ford said.

Ford, however, said it isn’t aware of any related accidents or injuries.

These Transit vans have a 3.2-liter diesel engine built at Kansas City Assembly during July 28-Aug. 7 of this year. Ford said it is aware of 89 vehicles in the U.S. and three in Canada.

Dealers will make an inspection and reinforce the underbody structure, if necessary, at no cost to the customer.

The improper repair could potentially result in a loss of steering. Ford said it is aware of one accident, but no injuries, related to this issue.

This recall includes 2005-2011 Ford Crown Victoria vehicles built at St. Thomas Assembly from March 23, 2004, to Aug. 30, 2011; 2005-2011 Mercury Grand Marquis vehicles built at St. Thomas Assembly from March 23, 2004, to Aug. 30, 2011; 2005-2007 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at Wixom Assembly from March 8, 2004, to June 5, 2007; and 2008-2011 Lincoln Town Car vehicles built at St. Thomas Assembly from Aug. 28, 2007, to Aug. 30, 2011.

Ford said it is aware of 36,888 vehicles in the U.S. and federalized territories and 1,757 in Canada.

Dealers will inspect and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft if necessary. They will also inspect the steering column lower bearing and install a bearing retainer kit if necessary.

Safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) will hold a public meeting on Sept. 14 to collect public feedback about its New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) that determines crash worthiness and rollover safety, according to the agency.

Humidity can bring on thunderstorms with little or no warning. So now that's it peak summertime, it's a good time to remind your drivers how to stay safe if they find themselves on the road during a potentially hazardous electrical storm.

A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that while electronic safety systems such as advanced cruise control, collision mitigation, and lanekeeping can help save lives, improper use can lead to fatal accidents.

Phantom Auto will begin testing autonomous vehicles in Sacramento, Calif., under a new agreement with the city that allows testing with no occupants in the car. The vehicles will be operated by remote drivers at computers in Silicon Valley, reports the Sacramento Bee.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has released updated voluntary guidelines asking autonomous vehicle (AV) makers testing in the state to put a second safety engineer in the passenger seat.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling an estimated 1.14 million 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with a power locking tailgate and a 5-foot-7-inch or 6-foot-4-inch bed because of tailgate latch issues.